Een nieuw licht op de gebrandschilderde glas-in-loodramen van de Sint-Basiliuskerk in Brugge (1483-1544)

The late medieval regal windows of St Basil’s church in Bruges (1483-1544) were not traditionally devout, but an unmistakable expression of political power. The stained glass windows with effigies of the Burgundian-Habsburg dukes and their spouses were largely realised in the period 1483-1486, during the Flemish Revolt against Maximilian of Austria. During this turbulent period, the series served not only to commemorate members of the dynasty, but also to convince churchgoers of the legitimacy of the ruling monarch’s authority. The strategic placement of the windows in the choir where the relic of the Holy Blood was kept reminded churchgoers of the Burgundian-Habsburg tradition of venerating the relic, promoted the legitimate continuation of their authority and consolidated the Burgundian-Habsburg rule over Bruges.